As spring sports begins, the Madison High School girls lacrosse team has been preparing and putting in the work, hoping for great success this upcoming season. The girls hope to exceed the progress made in the prior season. Running captains practices, training outside of school hours, and even just going for runs, every player seems determined in making a difference for the team’s record. According to senior captain Amanda Leone, “I feel pretty good about this year’s season. I think we’ve definitely made progress from the first time practicing together. The chemistry and connection between the girls on the team is just so strong, and will for sure be an advantage.”
Along with Amanda Leone, other captains include Gabby Mariani (senior), Hadley Holland (senior), and Sarah Kate Preston (senior). Each has shown exceptional leadership and passion when it comes to this sport. This upcoming year, Leone will continue her career playing at Hobart and William Smith College, a Division III school, on the girls lacrosse team. As for Mariani, she will continue her lacrosse career at Rutgers University, playing on the Division I girls lacrosse team. Preston will be playing at Colby College, a Division III school. Holland, will continue her career at the University of Southern California, a Division I school, playing for the Trojans girls lacrosse team. Each and every one of these girls have proven themselves in skill, determination, and guidance, allowing them to earn this title.
Despite the season only just starting, the girls have reached many milestones, Captain Gabby Mariani especially! Throughout her entire career on the girls varsity team, Gabby has totaled 200 points so far. She has shown great contribution to this team, and will continue to do so. Without her, the girls lacrosse team would not be where it is today. Another milestone of hers is achieving 250 draw controls. As a midfield player, Mariani has taken, and won, many draw controls, which helps the team to gain possession and score against the opposing team. She is just now nearing 300 draw controls.
The girls have a current record of 3-3. Their first two games were against Summit and Mendham. For the Summit game, the girls lost by 7 goals with a score of 12-5. For the game against Mendham, the girls lost 13-9. These losses were tough for them but they did not let it hinder them: they used it as motivation to do better for the next few upcoming games. They would not let the two losses define how they would perform the rest of the season. Putting in the work, the girls won their first game against Kent Place, with a score of 13-12. Following this game, the girls won 8-7 up against Mountain Lakes, and again 10-9 against Morristown. Although the streak was broken after they played against Morris Knolls in a tough loss of 12-11, there is without a doubt these girls will, again, practice and come back stronger than ever. Their next game will be on Wednesday, April 23rd against West Essex.